January 14, 2009 (2.6 MB)

18 Bavarian News January 14, 2009
Schweinfurt
Wounded warrior overcomes
adversity, prepares for Iraq
Story and photo by
EMILY ATHENS
Bavarian News
Danger lurks on every stretch
of road in Iraq with the prospect of
Improvised Explosive Devices.
These roadside bombs have
taken a terrible toll on those serving
downrange, and Spc. Jake Altman
knows very well the destruction they
can cause.
After serving two years in the
Army, Altman deployed in 2006 for his
Spc. Jake
Altman
prepares to
return to Iraq
this month,
three years
after losing his
right arm in an
IED explosion.
by MARK HEETER
Schweinfurt CI Chief
The USAG Schweinfurt Better
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program is alive, and well.
Deployments traditionally tend to
cut into the number of Soldiers who
participate, according to Silvia Joiner,
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program does not stop.
“I’ve also noticed you will also
have people back here who are in
need of the same kind of services that
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program through several deployments,
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with 9th Engineer Battalion, Bravo
Company, stationed just north of
Baghdad at Camp Taji.
“Altman was hard-working. He
was self-assured, and got along with
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Altman’s attitude while downrange.
Sgt. Corey Blatchford, friend of
Altman’s since they were stationed
together in Bamberg, agrees that
Altman was an eager worker in Iraq
and pushed himself as far as a Soldier
should.
‘
We’ve got to work double-hard to keep (BOSS) alive
and going in order to take care of everyone when they come
back, as well as the people who are here.
Silvia Joiner, BOSS Program Coordinator
from Bosnia and Kosovo to Iraq and
Afghanistan.
“It’s very important to keep the
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going while the guys are downrange,”
she said.
“It’s more important now, because
we’ve got to target those Soldiers
who are not deploying,” said USAG
Schweinfurt Command Sgt. Maj.
However, five months into the
deployment, on the morning of May
14, 2007, Altman’s life changed.
“I remember him coming in, and
he actually said to me ‘I don’t feel well
today.’ He actually felt like something
wasn’t right,” Blatchford said.
Altman left on a route clearance
mission that morning, operating a
Husky, a single-occupant vehicle
equipped to detect mines.
“I was the lead vehicle scouting for
IEDs and letting the guys behind me
know what’s up ahead. About three
hours into it, I came across one. I saw
it for about a split second. I called it,
and then all of a sudden it blew up…”
Altman said, trailing off.
A piercing bang, the harsh smell
of explosives, and an overwhelming
cloud of dust proved the unfortunate
success of yet another insurgent
attack.
As a result of the blast, Altman
suffered severe shrapnel wounds to
his legs and the loss of his right arm
at the elbow.
Immediately after the explosion,
Altman tried desperately to smash his
M16 through the glass window, so he
could get out of the vehicle, but he
was unsuccessful because of space
limitations and injuries.
“I was awake through the entire
ordeal. I was completely conscious.
There was a lot of pain and a lot of
anger,” he said.
Although in tremendous pain and
agony, Altman could not help but think
what only heroes perceive during this
type of emergency.
“I was actually glad it was me. If I
would have missed it, it would’ve hit
a truck full of guys. That explosion
would have killed everybody in the
truck,” he said.
Ernest Lee, who promotes the
program each week at the community
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single Soldiers,” Lee said, adding
that the program and trips open up to
married Soldiers as well when space
permits.
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Despite any initial frustrations,
Altman has come to terms with his
wounds and has vowed to “keep
pushing through it.”
After a year and a half of recovery
and physical therapy at Walter Reed
Medical Center in Washington, Altman
returned to the
9th EN Bn in
Schweinfurt,
continuing his
service and eager
to take on future
challenges.
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he has decided
to deploy once
again, and will
readily depart
this month,
fulfilling his
desire to “stay
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“Personally
I want to do this
for myself. I’m
not proving it
to anybody else
that I can do
this. I’m doing
it just for me,”
he said.
Remaining in the military was
not an easy undertaking for Altman,
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attempts, Altman finally spoke to
the right people and was allowed to
continue his service.
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military because this is what I want
to do. I don’t really feel impaired. I
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said, noting his quick adjustment to
his injuries.
The dexterity of Altman’s prosthetic
limits him to grabbing things, closing,
in addition to regularly scheduled
meetings, according to Joiner, with
an eye on increasing participation to
ensure the program thrives.
“We have a lot more people left
on this post than we’ve had before,”
when a unit deploys, Joiner said,
pointing to the 1st Squadron, 91st
Cavalry Regiment, the 15th Engineer
Battalion, and units scheduled to
and rotating his new hand.
The ability to twist his prosthetic
hand completely around is a talent that
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with people,” he explained with a
smile, demonstrating that although he
lost a hand, he did not lose his spirit.
“He’s had a
good sense of
I was actually glad
it was me. If I would
have missed (the
IED), it would’ve hit
a truck full of guys.
That explosions
would have killed
everybody in the
truck.
humor before
and after. That’s
something
he definitely
didn’t lose,”
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remembering
a specific
incident.
“I asked
him to give
me a hand,
and I knew I
set myself up.
He popped it
off and gave it
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said, laughing.
Altman’s
experiences
and continued
determination
have become a motivation for other
Soldiers.
“It shows the other Soldiers that
even if you have something happen,
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and still defend your country.
“It’s courageous … if he can do it
without an arm, why can’t I do it with
two arms,” Blatchford said.
Without regrets or resentment,
Altman looks forward to the years
ahead of service.
“I am a little nervous, but I want
this,” Altman said about going back to
Iraq. “The military really is for me.”
Spc. Jake Altman
Teens to gain perspective with service project
by SANDRA WILSON
Bavarian News
With the new year under the belt, the last
thing you may be thinking about is what to do
over spring break. But now is the time, because
deposits are due this month for a “life-changing
experience.”
Club Beyond’s service project to Czech
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high school students need to sign up now with
their $100 deposit.
As many as 800 teens travel from throughout
Europe to service projects, sponsored by Club
Beyond and Malachi Ministries, located in
Slovakia, Czech Republic, or Poland. This year,
Schweinfurt teens, along with other nearby
installations, travel to Turnov, Czech Republic
to volunteer their time in the community.
“This … is the best thing that Club Beyond
does. It’s really a life-changing experience,”
said Sara Doughty, Schweinfurt CB community
director, about the trip that happens once a year
in which all teens in the community are invited
to attend.
Teens travel together and stay in cabins much
like “stripped down hostels,” Doughty said.
During daylight hours, they volunteer within
the city of Turnov by cleaning yards, working on
construction sites, and teaching English.
“(The locals’) living situation is getting better
and better,” Doughty said, explaining that this
may be the last year that teens travel there to
help the community.
Prepared with simple Czech phrases before
departure, students are challenged to communicate
with the locals in their native tongue.
During their week-long trip, teens also take
part in the Slovak and Czech diets of soup,
breads, and fried meats.
While their days are full of physical labor,
each evening a key-note speaker shares and
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purpose. Cabin mates gather in small groups and
youth are given the opportunity to share about
themselves.
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forces them to hang out, talk to other people.
It’s really a great time for them to process life
in Schweinfurt.”
A visit to Turnov and working with the locals
“gives them a bigger picture of the world,” said
Elizabeth Cable, Schweinfurt CB associate
community director.
“Teenagers today don’t appreciate what they
have, and so them being willing to work … and
see how other teenagers live … is great,” Cable
said. “And also instilling service in their lives is
huge. Serving people is a way we can … show
love to those around us.”
The week ends with a street festival and sports
competition in the community. Easter services
for Protestants and Catholics are provided by a
military chaplain while in the Czech Republic,
and teens are sure not to miss the Easter
celebration with their families back at home on
April 12.
To sign up your teen, volunteer as an adult,
or just get more information, call Doughty at
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Ryan Berry saws roots off a stump at
Club Beyond’s service project last year.
Courtesy photo
Soldier program essential during all stages of deployment
‘
activate or relocate in Schweinfurt
over the next several months.
Still, she and Lee keep their eyes on
the Soldiers from the 172nd Infantry
Brigade (Separate) who recently
deployed to Iraq.
“We’ve got to work double-hard
to keep it alive and going in order to
take care of everyone when they come
back, as well as the people who are
here,” Joiner said.
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scheduled forJan. 27 at 2 p.m. in the
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Barracks.
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8476 or 09721-96-8476.